Wat Arun, officially named Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchaworamahawihan, is a historic Buddhist temple located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand. Known as the Temple of Dawn, it is one of Thailand’s most iconic landmarks, renowned for its stunning riverside location, intricate architecture, and cultural significance.
The origins of Wat Arun date back to the Ayutthaya period (1351–1767), when it was a modest temple known as Wat Makok (Temple of the Olive), named after the tamarind trees in the area. It served as a local place of worship in what was then the village of Bang Makok, before Bangkok became the capital. The temple’s early history is tied to the broader religious and cultural landscape of the region, which was under the influence of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
Wat Arun gained significant prominence during the Thonburi period (1767–1782) when King Taksin the Great, after the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese in 1767, established his new capital in Thonburi. King Taksin chose ...
The Aqueduct of Valens (Turkish: Valens Su Kemeri or Bozdoğan Kemeri, meaning “Aqueduct of the Grey Falcon”) is a remarkable Roman engineering feat and one of Istanbul’s most iconic ancient landmarks.
Built in the 4th century AD, it formed a key part of a vast water supply system that sustained Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) for over a millennium. Spanning a valley in the city’s historic peninsula, it exemplifies Roman hydraulic ingenuity, with its robust limestone arches still standing tall amid urban bustle.
Construction began under Emperor Constantius II around 345 AD, but it was completed in 373 AD by Emperor Valens, after whom it is named. This was just five years before Valens’ defeat at the Battle of Adrianople in 378 AD, which exposed Thrace to invasions. The aqueduct addressed the growing water demands of Constantinople, founded by Constantine the Great in 330 AD, which had outgrown earlier systems from the Hadrian era (117–138 AD).
The full system stretched up to 268 ...
The Şehzade Mosque (Turkish: Şehzade Camii), located in Istanbul’s Fatih district, is a significant Ottoman mosque within the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Areas of Istanbul” (inscribed 1985).
Commissioned by Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent in memory of his son Şehzade Mehmed, who died in 1543 at age 22, it was built between 1543 and 1548 by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan.
Known as Sinan’s “apprentice work,” it marks an early milestone in his career, preceding his masterpieces like the Süleymaniye Mosque.
Built during the Ottoman Empire’s golden age, the mosque reflects Süleyman’s grief for his son and his ambition to cement the dynasty’s legacy. It was Sinan’s first major imperial commission, showcasing his emerging genius.
• Role: As part of a külliye (complex) with a madrasa, hospice, and Mehmed’s tomb, it served religious, educational, and charitable functions, typical of Ottoman social structures.
• UNESCO Status: Recognized for its role in ...
I was looking forward to exploring the area around Baku to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gobustan along with the fire temple. I decided on My Baku Tour from the online ratings and had a great time. Here is the details about the trip.
This tailored day trip from Baku explores Azerbaijan’s industrial, spiritual, prehistoric, and geological heritage in an 8–10-hour adventure.
Starting with a 10-minute stop at the World’s First Industrial Oil Well and Museum, followed by the Bibi-Heybat Mosque, the UNESCO-listed Gobustan Petroglyphs, the surreal Mud Volcanoes, Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain), and concluding with the Ateshgah Fire Temple, it covers key sites within a 1–1.5-hour drive from Baku.
Tour Overview
• Duration: 8–10 hours (~9:00 AM–6:00 PM return to Baku).
• Inclusions: Hotel pickup/drop-off in central Baku (e.g., Old City or Gosha Qala Square), air-conditioned transport (minivan or sedan for private tours), English-speaking guide, lunch of traditional Azerbaijani dishes.
• Pricing (2025):
• Group tour: 130 AZN...